Mont d'Or Cheese vs San Michali Cheese

Mont d'Or Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while San Michali Cheese is compact, with very small irregular holes and made from cow milk, originating in Greece.

What Is Mont d'Or Cheese?

Mont d'Or is a seasonal soft cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of France and Switzerland, wrapped in a band of spruce that gives it its flavor. It sells from September 10 to May 10 and is usually warmed in its spruce box and eaten like fondue.

What Is San Michali Cheese?

San Michali is a hard cow's milk cheese from the Greek island of Syros, aged at least four months. It carries PDO status, tastes salty and piquant, and is one of the most expensive cheeses in Greece.

What's the Difference Between Mont d'Or Cheese and San Michali Cheese?

• Origin: Mont d'Or Cheese (France), San Michali Cheese (Greece)
• Milk treatment: Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw), San Michali Cheese (Pasteurized)
• Texture: Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft), San Michali Cheese (Compact, with very small irregular holes)
• Rind: Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind), San Michali Cheese (Often covered with paraffin)
• Aging: Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days), San Michali Cheese (At least four months)
• Taste: Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent), San Michali Cheese (Salty, peppery)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or Cheese Taste Like San Michali Cheese?

Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while San Michali Cheese brings salty, peppery character. Aging plays into this as well. Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days develops a different profile than San Michali Cheese at at least four months.

Can You Substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for San Michali Cheese?

In most recipes, Mont d'Or Cheese and San Michali Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for compact, with very small irregular holes. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent while San Michali Cheese brings salty, peppery notes.

Which Is Better, Mont d'Or Cheese or San Michali Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Mont d'Or Cheese. For a compact, with very small irregular holes profile, San Michali Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mont d'Or Cheese suits recipes that want resinous, mild to pungent notes, while San Michali Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, peppery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mont d'Or Cheese the same as San Michali Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Mont d'Or Cheese originates in France, while San Michali Cheese comes from Greece. Aging also differs: Mont d'Or Cheese is typically aged 21 to 60 days, San Michali Cheese at least four months.

Is Mont d'Or Cheese similar to San Michali Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Mont d'Or Cheese for San Michali Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Mont d'Or Cheese taste like San Michali Cheese?

Mont d'Or Cheese reads as resinous, mild to pungent, while San Michali Cheese is salty, peppery.

What is Mont d'Or Cheese made of?

Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 to 60 days. It originates in France.

What is San Michali Cheese made of?

San Michali Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged at least four months. It originates in Greece.

Which should I choose, Mont d'Or Cheese or San Michali Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or Cheese is soft, while San Michali Cheese is compact, with very small irregular holes.